Pump



April 14, 1953 v. scHLEYER PUMP Filed OCL. 17, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET l f J0 o mi: v Q k 2a 2.a /21 j! w1 IN VEN TOR. /ra@ 5cm. E rE/a,

April 14, 1953 v. scHLEYER 2,634,680

PUMP

Filed oct. 17, 1949 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 1N VEN TOR. rox? .5o/EVER BY f /vTrop/vfys.

Patented Apr. 14, 1953 UNITED sTATss .sT-NT OFFICE Q Application October 17, 1949, Serial No. 121,811

(Cl. 10S-5) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to jet pumps and espe-` cially to jet pumps suitable for use in withdrawing Water from wells and discharging it against a discharge head. Such jet pumps are commonly used in one or the other of two different Ways, either as shallow-well pumps or as deep-well pumps. In both types of installations, the driving motor and the pump itself, usually a centrif ugal pump, are located above the level of the water to be pumped; but in the shallow-well installation the jet is also located above water level, While in the deep-Well installation the jet is submerged.

It is an object of my invention to produce a jet pump which can be simply and economically manufactured, which will be adapted as a complete unit for use in a shallow-Well system, but which can readily be converted for use with a submerged jet in a deep-well system. Another object of this invention is to provide a convertible pump to which Water is admitted through the same inlet irrespective of Whether the unit is being used in shallow-well or in deep-Well operation. A further object of the invention is to provide in a jet pump an improved means for maintaining at a pre-determined minimum pressure the Water which is supplied to the jet. l

A pump embodying my invention in its preerred form comprises a pump unit proper, which is conveniently of the centrifugal type, enclosed or partially enclosed by a shell or housing having an inlet opening adapted to be connected to an inlet pipe and also having a pressure chamber into which the pump unit discharges. The housing is formed to receive an ejector and to provide passages leading respectively from the inlet-open ing to the ejector throat and fromthe outlet of the ejector to the pump unit. In addition, the housing is formed to provide a by-pass through which liquid can pass from the inlet opening to the pump unit Without flowing through the ejector. A valve associated with the by-pass can be closed to compel Water supplied through the inlet pipe to flow to the throat of the ejector. A second valve is provided to direct a portion of the Water discharged from the pump unit either to the nozzle of the ejector or to a pressure pipe eX- tending to a submerged ejector. The remainder of the Water discharged from the pump unit is conveyed to a pressure tank or to the point of use. To operate the device as a shallow-Well pump, `the first mentioned valve is closed and the second valve is positioned to direct Water from the pres- :sure Vchamber to the ejector-nozzle.` With` the valves sogarranged, Water flows from the pressure chamber to the ejector-nozzle, and the resultant suction created at the ejector-,throat draws Water upwardly through the inlet pipe and into the ejector, which discharges into the pump unit. For operation in a deep-Well installation, a submerged ejector is used, the pressure pipe being connected to its inlet and the supply pipe to its outlet. The rst valve is'opened and the second valve is positioned to direct Water from the pressure chamber into the pressure pipe, such Water iowing to the submerged ejector and returning with water from the Well to the pump through the supply pipe.

The accompanying vention:V

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a preferred form of pump; Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse verticalsections on the lines 4-4 and 5-5 respectively of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is an elevational view illustrating the pump in association with a submerged ejector and pressure tank; Figs. '7 and 8 are diagrammatic views illustrating the paths over which water ilows to the pump-impeller during deep-Well and'shal- 10W-Well operations, respectively; and Fig. 9 is a fragmental view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating a Way in which the pump can be modified by the manufacturer at a savings in cost if its convertibility to shallow-Well operation is not deemed necessary.

4 The pump shown in Fig. 1 comprises a housing I0 adapted to be mounted on one side of a supporting frame or bracket II to the opposite side of which an electric motor I2 is secured. rIghe motor I2 has a shaft I3 Which extends through the frame I I and has attached to its outer end a pump-impeller I4. The housing Il) has a recess I5, which cooperates with the adjacent face of the frame II to provide an enclosure for the impeller I4; and the annular Wall of such recess is provided with an annular series of openings I6 through which water discharged from the impeller I4 escapes into a pressure-chamber I1 having a main outlet I8.

The housing I is a transverse passage at its outer end to an inlet drawings illustrate the informed to provide interiorly ZIJ adapted for connection pipe 2|.

end, the passage 2D communicates with an oblique Y sages.

: l--ll-I-"IHHII passage 22 which in turn communicates with the eye 23 of the impeller I4. In addition to the passages 23 and 22, the housing I0 is formed to provide three generally longitudinally extending pas- The first ofgsuch longitudinal passages, designated by the reference numeral 24, is co- At its innerV 1 2,634,680 I .s u

axial with the impeller and communicates therewith through the lower end of the passage 22. The second longitudinal passage 25 communicates with the transverse passage 20 between the points at which that passage respectively communicates with the inlet pipe 2| and the oblique passage 22. The third longitudinal passage 26 communicates with the pressure chamber All three of the longitudinal passages 24, 25, and 26 above mentioned open into the outer `end face of the housing V||| where they will be covered by an auxiliary housing 30 adapted to be secured to the housing I0, as by the screws 3|. The auxiliary housing 30 is provided with passages 25 and 26. which communicate respectively with the passages 25 and 25, and also with a recess 32 opening toward and in alinement with the passage 24. Adjacent its Aopen end, the recess 32 is screw-threaded for the reception of an ejector-diffuser 33 which extends into the passage 24 of the housing |0 when the auxiliary housing is `in place. The bottom of the recess 32 is provided wit-h a screw-threaded opening in which an ejector nozzle 34 is mounted co-axially with the diffuser 33.

Within the auxiliary housing 30, the `passage 25' communicates with the recess' 32 through a transverse passage 35 (Figs. 5 and 8), whereby water may pass through the passages 25 and 35 into the throat of the ejector 33-34.

The outer end `of the passage 26 communicates with the inner end of a recess 68 which opens exteriorly of the auxiliary housing. Withinthe outer portion ofthe recess 38 `there is mounted a bushing 379 provided at its inner end with a valve seat 4D and at its outer end with a screw-threaded opening for the reception of a pipe 4|. f

The auxiliary housing 30 is provided with a vertical passage 43 extending upwardly fromvthe outer end of the ejector nozzle 34 and having an enlarged upper end 43' located in alinement with the recess 38 and communicating therewith through an opening 44 of slightly larger diameter than the valve seat 40. The opening 44 is co-axial with thervalve seat 40.

YWithin the passage 20 (Fig. 4) and between the points at which it communicates with the passages 22 and 25, I provide a valve seat 56 with which there cooperates a valve 5| secured to the inner end of a valve stem 52 which is slidably mounted in astuing box 53. With the valve 5| open, as shown in full lines in Fig. 4, water entering the housing Vl through the pipe 2| can flow through the passage 22 directly to the impeller-eye 23; but with the valve closed as indi-V cated in dotted linesall water supplied through the pipe 2| is forced to enter the passage 25 as will be more clearly brought out hereinafter.

In alinement with the valve seat 4G and opening 44 (Fig. 5), the auxiliary housing 30 is provided with a stuiiing box 53 which slidably supports a valve stem 54 having at its inner end a valve 55 adapted to cooperate with the valve seat 4|! and opening 44 to control the disposition of water discharged into the recess 38 through the passage 26'. The valve 55 has a diameter substantially equal to the opening 44, so that when it is in the full-line position shown in Fig. it may lie within such opening and prevent the passage of water therethrough. In moving into the seated position shown in dotted lines, the valve 55 moves out of the opening 44,'and thus permits water to now from the recess 38 into the upper end 43 of the passage 43. A spacing collar 56 mounted on the valve stem 54 behind the valve 55 limits outward movement of the stem 54 to the position in which the valve 55 lies within the opening 44.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated the pump connected in a, deep-well system. In such an arrangement, an ejector 60 is supported by the pipes 4| and 2| belowwater level in a well pipe 6|, the pipes 4| and 2| being connected respectively to-the inlet and outlet of :the ejector. A pipe .65 connects the main outlet Ai8 of the pressure chamber |l with the customary pressure tank 66. When the pump is connected as in- .of their outward movement, as

dicated in Fig. 6 to operate as a deep-well pump, the valve stems 52 and 54 are moved to the limit indicated in full lines in Figs. 4 and 5 and also in Fig. 3. In this condition, as will be clear from Fig. 7, the valve 5| permits flow of water from pipe 2| through the passage 22 to the impeller-eye 23. The valve 55 lies within the opening 44, thus compelling Water discharged yinto the recess 36 through the passage '2."6--71216 to enter the pipe 4|. Wit-h the motor l2 in operation, water discharged from the impeller |4 enters the pressure chamber Il. One portion of such water will be discharged through the valve 61 and pipe `65 to the storage tank 66, while the remainder will pass through the passage "26-26, recess 38, and pipe 4| to the submerged ejector 60. The suction created within the ejector will draw in water from the well, and such water, together with that supplied to the ejector through pipe 4|, will flow upwardly through pipe 2| and thence through passages 20 and 22 to the impeller.

For vuse in a shallow 'well installation, the main outlet of the pressure chamber "il is connected as above` to the -storage tank 66 through valve 61 and pipe 55. In this instance the pipe 4l is omitted and the pipe 2| becomes a suction pipe extending downwardly and opening into the body of water in the well. The valve stems 52 and 54 are moved inwardly Ainto the dotted-line positions shown in Figs. 4 and 5 to cause the valve 5| to engage the valve seat 50Vand the valve 55 toengage the valve seat 40. In this condition, iiow of water is as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 8. As in a deep well installation, part of the Water discharged into t le pressure chamber il from the impeller flows through the valve 67 and pipe 65 to the storage tank 66, While the remainder leaves the pressure chamber through the passage 26. As the valve 44 now occludes the valve seat 40 and `opens the opening 44, water from passage 26-26 flows through the opening 44 and passage 43-43' to the ejector nozzle 34 creating in the recess 32 a subatmospheric pressure. Such subatmospheric pressure is applied through the passage 25 to the suction pipe 2|, with the result that water from the well flows upwardly through such pipe and through the passage 25-26 and 35 to the throat of the ejector. The water discharged from the ejector ows directly to the impeller-eye 23.

It will be noted that differential pressure will tend to hold both of the valves 5| and 55 in either of the limit positions to which they have been moved. It is not necessary that vthe Vvalve 55 completely occlude the opening 44 when the device is operating as a deep-well pump; for a small quantity of water can be ley-passed through the opening 44 without objectionably lowering eiiiciency. Some leakage of water past the 'v-alv'e 5| when it is closed may also occur. leakage, however,

Any such Will @euse a decrease in the suction created by the ejector SII-33, and may be objectionable in cases where the suction head is relatively great.

It will be noted that conversion of the pump from shallow-Well operation to deep-well operation, or vice-versa, is readily effected by shifting of the valve stems 52 and 5G and without the necessity of disconnecting the inlet pipe 2 i. The ejector 33-34 can remain in place in deep-well operation. In such a situation, although the passages 25, 25', and 35 Will be open to the ejectorthroat; substantially all the Water entering from the inlet pipe 2i will ow directly to the impeller through the passage 22.

From the above description, it will be apparent that the passage 22 serves as a by-pass which when open provides a direct path for liquid from the supply pipe 2| to the impeller but which can be closed by the valve I to compel liquid from the pipe 2l to flow through the throat and diffuser of the ejector before reaching the impeller. The provision of this by-pass permits a single inlet opening and single inlet pipe to be employed irrespective of Whether the pump is operated in a shallow-well or deep-Well installation. It will also be apparent that piping and other elements, such as the pipes 4I and ZI and ejector 50, located exteriorly of the pump and interconnecting the recess 38 with the inlet opening constitutes a bypass around the entire ejector. When this second by-pass is closed by the valve 55, all liquid flowing into the recess 38 through the passage 26-26' is compelled to flow through the ejector-nozzle and diffuser before reaching the impeller.

If, in the arrangement shown in Fig. 6, Water can flow Without restriction from the pressure chamber I1 through the pipe 65 to the storage tank 66, the fluid pressure Within the chamber I1 will be substantially that existing in the tank 66. If Water is Withdrawn from the tank 66 at a high rate, the pressure therein, and hence the pressure in chamber I1, may drop to a point such that satisfactory operation of the ejector 50 Will be interfered with. To prevent a drop in the pressure Within the tank 66 from causing such a result, I may include in the pipe 55 a loaded valve which can open only when a predetermined minimum pressure exists within the pressure chamber I1. As indicated in Figs. 3 and 6, such a valve may conveniently comprise a generally T-shape housing 61 having a lateral connected to the pipe 65 and a run one end of which is connected to the pressure chamber I1. At the inlet end of the run there is provided a valve seat having an associated valve member 68 urged against the seat by a spring 59 which acts between the valve member 6B and a removable plug 'HJ at the opposite end of the run. With the valve member 55 and the spring G9 in place, Water will not flow to the tank 66 until pressure Within the pressure chamber I1 has become great enough to force the valve member 68 from its seat against the opposition of the spring 69. If, as will usually be the case in shallow-well operation, it is not deemed necessary to maintain a pre-determined minimum pressure in the chamber I1, the spring 69 and valve member 68 can be Withdrawn through the opening which receives the plug 'IIL The housing I0 above described may be employed in a pump which lacks convertibility and which is not adapted for use in shallow-Well installations. To produce such a pump embodying the housing I0, the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 9 may be used. In that arrangement, a cover addition that plate 30' is substituted for vthe auxiliary housing 30 previously described.Y Such a cover plate is adapted to overlie and close the outer ends of the passages 24 and 25 of the housing I0, but is provided with a passage 15 alined with the passage 26. The outer end of the passage 'I5 is screw-threaded for the reception of the pipe 4I extending to a submerged ejector such as that indicated at 6G in Fig. 6. Since the pump arranged as shown in Fig. 9 is not intended or adapted for shallow-well operation, the valve 5I may be eliminated and that end of the passage 20 opposite the inlet pipe 2I closed with a suitable closure, such as a plug 1S. So arranged, the pumpV operates in the same way as does the pump previously described when arranged as in Fig. 6. Water for the submerged ejector flows from the pressure chamber through the passages 26 and 15 and pipe 4I, While water from the Well ows upwardly through the pipe 2| and into the impeller through the passage 22. By providing a single housing I5 which can be used either in a convertible pump or in a pump intended only for deep-Well operation, I have reduced manufacturing costs.

I claim as my invention;

l. In a jet pump, ahousing providing a pressure chamber, impeller discharging into said pressure chamber, an inlet passage for said iinpeller having first and second branchesl the first of said branches being adapted for connection to a supply pipe, an ejector located in the second of said branches and having a nozzle, said pressure chamber having a main and an auxiliary outlet, means for selectively preventing or permitting liquid from said pressure chamber to flow to the ejector-nozzle, a suction passage within the housing and interconnecting the first inlet-passage branch with the throat of said ejector, and valve means selectively operable either to permit or prevent liquid entering said first inlet-passage branch from flowing directly to the impeller.

2. A pump as set forth in claim 1 with the the nrst inlet-passage branch extends transversely of said housing and has inner and outer outlets spaced along the branch and communicating respectively with the impeller and suction passage, said valve means including a member slidable along the nrst inlet-passage branch between positions on opposite sides of the inner outlet opening, and a valve stem secured to said valve member and extending axially of the first inlet-passage branch to a point outside the housing. v

3. A pump as set forth in claim l with the addition that the first inlet-passage branch eX- tends transversely of said housing and pumpaxis and has inner and outer outlets spaced along the branch and communicating respectively with the impeller and suction passage, said valve means including a member slidable along the nrst inlet-passage branch between positions on opposite sides of the inner outlet opening.

4. In a jet pump, a housing providing a pressure chamber, an impeller discharging into said pressure chamber, an inlet passage for said impeller, an ejector the throat and diffuser 0f which constitute successive portions of said inlet passage, said housing being provided with a bypass around the ejector throat and diffuser and with a pressure passage connecting said pressure chamber with the nozzle of the ejector, a valve in said by-pass, said pressure passage hav- 7 ing Yan intermediate outlet opening( and valve mea-ns associated v'ith said pressure passage for directing substantially 'all liquid flowing there'- through alternative]3'7 either to the ejectorenozzle or to said outlet opening.

5. In a jet pump, a housing providing a pressure chamber, an impeller discharging pressure chamber, an inlet Vpassage forlsaid impeller, an ejector the throat and diffuser 'of which constitute successive portions of said inlet passage, Asaid housing being provided with a lay-pass around the ejector throat and diffuser and with 'a pressure passage connecting said pressure chamber with the nozzle of the ejector, a Valve in said by-pass, said housing having an outlet opening for liquid under pressure in said chamber, and means for 4directing substantially al1 liquid from said chamber alternatively to said outlet opening or through said pressure passage to said ejector. v

6. The invention set forth in claim 4 with the addition that said pressure passage includes portion aligned with said 'outlet opening and communicating with nsaid nozzle, said valve means comprising a valve member movable to occlude alternatively either the outlet opening or said passage-portion.

7. In a jet pump, a housing providing a pressure chamber, an impeller discharging into said pressure chamber, an ejector discharging to said impeller, a pressure-passage interconnectinto said ing said chamber with the nozzle of said ejector, said pressure passage having an intermediate opening and a portion which is aligned With said opening and which communicates with said noz'- zle, and a valve in said housingmovable to 'occludealternatively either said opening or 'said passage-portion. v l 8. In a casing for a jet pump, a housing hav,- ing an end face, said housing also .having inlet passage branches interconnected at their inner ends, a chamber within said housing, a pressure passage communicating at its inner end with said chamber, an auxiliary passage communicating at its inner end with one of said inlet `passage branches, the outer ends of the other inlet pas#- sage branch and of the pressure and auxiliary passages being all located in said end face,

VICTOR SCHLEYER.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

